The commander of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) strongly warns the United States and the United Kingdom against conducting any more "freedom of navigation and flight" patrols in the South China  Sea.

PLAN Commander Admiral Wu Shengli said China firmly opposes interventions in the South China Sea from countries outside the region.

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He also said China stoutly opposes "unprofessional and unsafe acts" by ships or aircraft in the South China Sea, including attempts to use "freedom of navigation and flight" as an excuse to compromise Chinese sovereignty over the South China Sea and to destabilize Asia.

"The construction work on the Nansha (Spratly) Islands, which are our own territory, is completely lawful and reasonable," claims Admiral Wu.

"There are defense facilities, but most of the infrastructure on the islands is to serve civilian purposes. They can provide a wider range of public services to neighboring nations and the entire international community."

The U.S. Navy has been conducting what it calls "Freedom of Navigation Operations" in the South China Sea since early this year. The United Kingdom last week announced it plans to begin aerial patrols of the sea this month using Royal Air Force jet fighters based in Japan.

The UK also said its Royal Navy will begin naval patrols of the South China Sea in 2020 after its first supercarrier, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, becomes operational.

Admiral Wu also suggested that other countries should respect historic facts; resort to negotiation for disputes; enhance mutual trust and personnel exchanges and improve joint drills.

An International Court of Arbitration in The Hague last July 12, however, issued a ruling invalidating China's claim to own the South China Sea based on its alleged historical rights. The court found China had infringed Philippine sovereignty by seizing islands rightfully owned by the Philippines.

China has refused to obey the court's ruling telling it to return the islands to the Philippines.

Admiral Wu's remarks were also China's reply to a bill filed in the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations by Republican Senator Marco Rubio entitled the "South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act of 2016" proposing sanctions against China over its activities in maritime disputes in the East and South China seas.

A retired PLAN admiral went further than Admiral Wu's comment by saying China is prepared to goto war against the U.S. over the South China Sea.

Retired Rear Admiral Yang Yi, former director of the Institute for Strategic Studies at the PLA National Defense University, said the Chinese military is ready to handle armed provocations challenging China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

TagsPeople's Liberation Army Navy, PLAN, Admiral Wu Shengli, South China Sea, war, U.S. Navy, Freedom of Navigation Operation, United States, United Kingdom, International Court of Arbitration, west philippine sea, Marco Rubio